Wynn New York casino project draws growing resistance

The 24-September story by amNewYork detailed the complaints. Aesthetic concerns about the High Line public park are at the heart of these concerns.

Three community organisations have joined the group Protect the High Line in their opposition to the proposal, according to the group. Among the several skyscrapers that would make up the complex would be Wynn's hotel and casino. A day care facility, 750-seat public school, 1,500 flats, and 200,000 square feet of office space are all part of this.

Concerns regarding the proposed parking garage
Open Plans, which advocates for increased green space across the five boroughs, has Sara Lind as a co-executive director. The High Line, she added, "embraces and celebrates" the density of metropolitan areas, making it unique. The prospect of a parking garage or lot close to the park is of great worry to her, she told amNewYork.

"They are suggesting a massive expansion of parking in a Manhattan neighbourhood close to public transportation, where we want people from all walks of life to be able to take advantage of the High Line's public space," she explained. "The introduction of parking will only serve to increase the already problematic traffic by luring more drivers to the area."

Builder: Financial advantages crucial
In response to the concerns raised, a representative from Related Companies issued a statement praising the project's prospective financial advantages.

The representative emphasised that "debate over parking spots" must not be allowed to obstruct a large public park, tens of thousands of jobs and careers, safer streets, affordable housing and improved NY transportation.

As far as the local community is concerned, the corporation plans to "continue to meet with stakeholders". "Deliver these important benefits for the neighbourhood and New York's future" would be its stated goal, it continued.

Conservation concerns may impede Wynn's ambitions
Parks and Trails and Save Chelsea, two other neighbourhood groups, informed amNewYork that the project impedes on efforts to preserve environment. They further claim that it would alter the neighborhood's vibe.

According to Paul Steely White, executive director of Parks & Trails New York, "it is especially important that we expand and improve parks and open space" given the record-high number of park visitors in New York. The Western Rail Yards rezoning plan, on the other hand, would have the reverse effect. Unsound development strategies include building over part of the High Line, limiting usable public space, and denying public access to parks for an unknown period of time.

"Degradation" of the vertically shaped High Line by a casino was denounced by Pamela Wolff, head of Save Chelsea.

"The High Line is not just a beloved neighbourhood park, but an internationally admired cultural treasure that Chelsea and the City of New York are proud of. It has inspired similar projects worldwide," Wolff added. "A poorly placed casino has no business bringing disgrace to it."

Two powerful state legislators from New York voiced their reservations in July, and now the opposition is joining them. Both Tony Simone and Deborah Glick, two members of the Assembly, shared the idea that the High Line's vistas would be diminished by the casino and pushed for the proposal's rejection by Wynn.